11.2

Moving beyond its introductory framework, the book delves into the systemic tensions that define U.S. higher education. It unpacks how the system’s celebrated diversity—spanning community colleges to research powerhouses—coexists with deep-rooted challenges: soaring costs, stagnant graduation rates, and the tug-of-war between intellectual inquiry and vocational preparation . The author grounds these debates in tangible contexts, from the influence of funding sources on institutional priorities to the rise of MOOCs and for-profit colleges . By contrasting enduring issues like curriculum debates with emerging shifts, the middle sections build a nuanced portrait: one of an ecosystem where competition drives innovation yet risks sidelining educational purpose . Rigorous yet accessible, this segment lays bare why the system’s strengths and flaws remain intertwined.